Program licence management technique in an audio signal processing system

ABSTRACT

CPU of a console accepts a full application activation instruction generated via an activation instruction switch. The CPU searches through all of apparatus of a mixing system, which the console belongs to, to detect any apparatus having connected thereto a USB dongle that has recorded therein an access key corresponding to an application program to be fully activated. If such an apparatus has been detected within the mixing system, the CPU places the application program in a fully activated state. If, on the other hand, no such apparatus has been detected, the CPU terminates a full application activation process. Such arrangements allows the application program, which requires authentication of the access key, to be executed with simple operation, while preventing unauthorized use of the application program.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a technique for managing a license ofdata, such as an application program, for use in a mixing systemcomprising a plurality of system component apparatus that include aplurality of audio signal processing apparatus. The present inventionalso relates to a technique for managing a license related to data, suchas an application program, for use in a mixing system comprising aplurality of system component apparatus that include a plurality ofaudio signal processing apparatus.

Heretofore, there have been known digital audio mixers of a type havingan effect imparting application program prestored in an internal memorythereof. The prestored application program has to be subjected tolicense management for purposes like preventing unauthorized use of theapplication program.

Among the conventionally-known license management techniques for anapplication program pre-installed in a digital audio mixer is one inaccordance with which data of a license (i.e., access key) forauthorizing activation of the program to be license-managed is purchasedvia the Internet and the thus-purchased access key is recorded into aninternal memory of the mixer. Namely, according to theconventionally-known license management technique, the purchased oneaccess key is recorded into only one mixer designated as a recordingdestination, and a permission of use (i.e., license) of the applicationprogram is granted only to the mixer having recorded therein the accesskey. Thus, only the mixer having recorded therein the access key isauthorized to execute or activate the application program after gettingdue authentication of the access key. One example of such aconventionally-known license management technique is disclosed inJapanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2005-056216(hereinafter referred to as “the patent literature”).

With the afore-mentioned conventionally-known technique, however, eachaccess key can be used only in the apparatus (e.g., mixer) havingrecorded therein the access key, because the access key is intended foruse to prevent unauthorized use of the corresponding application programin various apparatus. Therefore, in a case where one application programis to be executed in a plurality of apparatus, a plurality of accesskeys corresponding to the plurality of apparatus have to be acquired.

For example, in a case where one application program intended for addingone function (e.g., effect processing function) is to be used in amixing system comprising a console, an engine for performing signalprocessing on audio signals and an input/output apparatus for inputtingand outputting audio signals, the plurality of apparatus (i.e., console,engine and input/output apparatus) perform apparatus-specificapplication apparatus corresponding to the types of the apparatus sothat the plurality of apparatus cooperate to implement one functionprovided by the one application program. However, even in such a case,the afore-mentioned conventionally-known technique does not allow theplurality of apparatus, constituting the mixing system, to share the oneapplication program, and thus, it is necessary for each of the apparatusto acquire one access key and perform authentication of the acquiredaccess separately from the other apparatus. Therefore, theafore-mentioned conventionally-known technique would present theinconvenience that an operation for authenticating the access keys in amixing system, comprising a plurality of system component apparatus, isvery cumbersome.

Further, the number of types of application programs for use in digitalaudio mixers has been increasing with development of varioustechnologies. Thus, prestoring, in an internal memory, all applicationprograms to be used in a digital audio mixer is very disadvantageous interms of cost etc. Therefore, it is desirable to employ a constructionwhich allows a user to add an application program into the mixer asnecessary, rather than the construction, as disclosed in the patentliterature, where all usable application programs are prestored in themixer.

However, with the construction which allows a user to add an applicationprogram into the mixer as necessary, it is necessary to perform, foreach application program to be added, various license management work,such as association (interconnection) between the application programand a license and rearrangement between stored locations of theapplication program and license. Such various license management work isvery cumbersome and time-consuming. For example, in a case where theprogram and license are acquired through different acquisition routes,such as where the application program is acquired from a storage medialike a CD-ROM while the license is purchased via the Internet, thevarious license management work, such as rearrangement between thestored locations of the application program and the license, wouldbecome even more cumbersome.

Furthermore, in a mixing system of a type comprising a console, anengine for performing digital signal processing and an input/outputapparatus for inputting and outputting audio signals, adding anapplication program would disadvantageously require even more time andlabor. Namely, because such a mixing system requires apparatus-specificprograms corresponding to the types of the apparatus constituting thesystem, it is necessary to perform, for each of the system componentapparatus, to write an apparatus-specific program, acquire a license andperform license management work, such as association (interconnection)between the program and the license etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is a first object of the present inventionto provide a technique which, in an audio signal processing systemcomprising a plurality of system component apparatus that include aplurality of audio signal processing apparatus, not only canappropriately prevent unauthorized use of an application program bymeans of an access key, but also allows the application program,requiring authentication of the access key, to be executed in each ofthe system component apparatus with simple operation.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a techniquewhich not only can acquire a license of an application program, which isto be used in an audio signal processing system comprising a pluralityof system component apparatus that include a plurality of audio signalprocessing apparatus, under a secure environment and appropriatelymaintain the acquired license, but also allows an application programadding operation and license management work for the added applicationprogram to be performed in an easy-to-understand manner and withoutrequiring much time and labor.

In order to accomplish the above-mentioned first object, the presentinvention provides an improved activation authorization apparatus forauthorizing activation of an application program in an audio signalprocessing system comprising a plurality of system component apparatusthat include a plurality of audio signal processing apparatus, each ofthe plurality of audio signal processing apparatus being adapted to beprovided with a recording section capable of recording therein accesskey information for authorizing the activation of the applicationprogram, which comprises: an activation instruction section whichaccepts an activation instruction for activating an application program;a detection section which searches through all of the system componentapparatus, constituting the audio signal processing system, to detectany system component apparatus provided with the recording sectionhaving recorded therein the access key information corresponding to theapplication program; an authorization control section which authorizesthe activation of the application program in each of the systemcomponent apparatus when any system component apparatus provided withthe recording section having recorded therein the access key informationhas been detected by the detection section, but does not authorize theactivation of the application program when any system componentapparatus provided with the recording section having recorded thereinthe access key information has not been detected by the detectionsection; and a signal processing start control section which, when theactivation of the application program has been authorized by theauthorization control section, causes the audio signal processingapparatus, having a function for performing signal processing on anaudio signal among the plurality of system component apparatus, to startthe signal processing based on the application program.

Namely, according to the present invention, the detection sectionsearches for the access key information through all of the systemcomponent apparatus constituting the audio signal processing system. Ifany system component apparatus provided with the recording sectionhaving recorded therein the access key information has been detected,the authorization control section authorizes the activation of theapplication program in each of the system component apparatus. Namely,one access key information can be shared among the plurality of systemcomponent apparatus constituting the audio signal processing system.After authentication of the access key information, the signalprocessing start control section causes each of the audio signalprocessing apparatus, having a function of performing signal processingon an audio signal, to start the signal processing based on theapplication program, so that the function based on the applicationprogram corresponding to the access key information can be activated inthe audio signal processing system.

In an embodiment, the activation authorization apparatus furthercomprises: an access key information copying section which, when theactivation of the application program has been authorized by theauthorization control section, records a copy of the access keyinformation recorded in the recording section of the system componentapparatus, detected by the detection section, into the plurality ofsystem component apparatus; and a deletion section which, when a powersupply to the entire audio signal processing system has been turned offor a power supply to any one of the system component apparatus has beenturned off individually, deletes the copy of the access key informationrecorded in each of the system component apparatus of which the powersupply has been turned off.

Once the activation of the application is authorized, a copy of theaccess key information is recorded into each of the plurality of systemcomponent apparatus, constituting the audio signal processing system, bymeans of the access key information copying section. The copy of theaccess key information is deleted when the power supply to the entireaudio signal processing system has been turned off or the power supplyto any one of the system component apparatus has been turned offindividually. In other words, the copy of the access key informationremains recorded in each of the system component apparatus until thepower supply to the entire system or to the individual system componentapparatus is turned off.

With the aforementioned activation authorization apparatus of thepresent invention, one access key information can be shared among theplurality of system component apparatus constituting the audio signalprocessing system, and thus, unauthorized use of the application programcan be prevented appropriately by means of the access key information,but also the application program, requiring authentication of the accesskey information, can be activated in each of the system componentapparatus, constituting the audio signal processing system, with simpleoperation.

Further, because a copy of the access key information is recorded intoeach of the plurality of system component apparatus constituting theaudio signal processing system, effectiveness of the authentication ofthe application performed using the access key can be continued in eachof the system component apparatus using the copy of the access keyinformation. In a case where the recording section is implemented by aUSB dongle, leaving the USB dongle connected to the system componentapparatus is not preferable from the viewpoint of operation of the audiosignal processing system, and thus, it is desirable that theeffectiveness of the authentication of the application program beallowed to remain even after the USB dongle is disconnected the systemcomponent apparatus. Further, by the copy of the access key beingrecorded in each of the system component apparatus as noted above, theaccess key information can be authenticated in each of the systemcomponent apparatus. Thus, when the application program is to bere-activated individually in each of the system component apparatus, theauthentication using the access key information can be performedpromptly in the system component apparatus.

In order to accomplish the above-mentioned second object, the presentinvention provides an improved audio signal processing system comprisinga plurality of system component apparatus, wherein one of said pluralityof system component apparatus comprises: a readout section which readsout an application program to be installed, stored in said audio signalprocessing system, the application program including a plurality oftypes of apparatus-specific application programs corresponding to typesof the plurality of system component apparatus; a program identificationsection which searches through all of the plurality of system componentapparatus, constituting the audio signal processing system, to identifyany system component apparatus requiring installation of the applicationprogram and identify the apparatus-specific application programcorresponding to the type of the identified system component apparatus;and an installation instruction section which transmits, to each of theplurality of system component apparatus identified by said programidentification section, the apparatus-specific application program,corresponding to the type of the identified system component apparatus,of the application program read out by said readout section and theninstructs the identified system component apparatus to install thetransmitted apparatus-specific application program.

According to the present invention, since an application program to beinstalled is stored in the audio signal processing system and is readout by the readout section, apparatus-specific application programsnecessary in the individual system component apparatus can becollectively installed into all of the system component apparatusconstituting the audio signal processing system.

In an embodiment, any one of said plurality of system componentapparatus comprises: a recording identification section which identifiesa recording section from among recording sections in said audio signalprocessing system; and a recording control section which records, intothe recording section identified by said recording identificationsection, the application program and the access key information forauthorizing the activation of the application program in associationwith each other.

With this arrangement, the access key information and the applicationprogram to be subjected to license management can be recorded into theidentified recording section in association with each other. Thus, thepresent invention can advantageously simplify license management work,such as association (interconnection) and rearrangement between theaccess key information and the application program. Further, because theaccess key information and the application program are recorded inassociation with each other, data rearrangement and license managementwould not require much time and labor even where a plurality ofapplication programs and access key information are present. Further,even in a case where the access key information and the applicationprogram are acquired through different acquisition routes, such as wherethe application program to be subjected to license management isacquired from a CD-ROM while the access key information is acquired viathe Internet, the license management work would not require much timeand labor. Thus, the present invention allows the access key informationto be acquired under a secure environment, such as via the Internet, butalso can advantageously facilitate additional recording of anapplication program.

Further, because the access key information to be used for authorizingactivation of the application program is recorded in the licensemanaging storage device in association with the application program,there would be extremely very few cases in which users take much timeand labor to find a location of the access key information when actuallyusing the access key information, and thus, the present inventionpermits smooth license authentication. Namely, in the audio signalprocessing system comprising the plurality of system component apparatusthat include the plurality of audio signal processing apparatus, thepresent invention not only permits appropriate license management(unauthorized use prevention) of the application program, but also canperform an application program adding operation (including installationand license authentication of the application program) in a greatlysimplified manner.

By recording the access key information and application program into therecording section in association with each other, and by installing theapplication program recorded in the recording section, the presentinvention can achieve the superior advantageous benefits that a licensecan be acquired under a secure environment and maintained appropriately,and that license management work of the application program and anoperation for adding an application program (including installation andlicense authentication of the application program) can be greatlysimplified.

The present invention may be constructed and implemented not only as theapparatus invention as discussed above but also as a method invention.Also, the present invention may be arranged and implemented as asoftware program for execution by a processor such as a computer or DSP,as well as a storage medium storing such a software program.

The following will describe embodiments of the present invention, but itshould be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to thedescribed embodiments and various modifications of the invention arepossible without departing from the basic principles. The scope of thepresent invention is therefore to be determined solely by the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For better understanding of the object and other features of the presentinvention, its preferred embodiments will be described hereinbelow ingreater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram explanatory of a general construction of anembodiment of a mixing system to which is applied the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram explanatory of audio signal processingperformed in the mixing system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A to 3D are block diagrams explanatory of example hardwareconstructions of system component apparatus constituting the mixingsystem of FIG. 1, of which FIG. 3A shows a construction of a console,FIG. 3B shows a construction of an engine, FIG. 3C shows a constructionof an I/O apparatus and FIG. 3D shows a construction of a personalcomputer;

FIG. 4 is a diagram explanatory of stored content of a USB dongle in themixing system;

FIGS. 5A to 5E are block diagrams explanatory of data transitionoccurring until the content shown in FIG. 4 is written into the USBdongle;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart explanatory of an access key issuance and datawrite process on the USB dongle;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart explanatory of a process for installing anapplication program, recorded in the USB dongle, into the mixing system;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an application setting screen;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram explanatory of a configuration of effectsignal processing performed in a DSP section;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart explanatory of a parameter setting changeprocess; and

FIG. 11 is a flow chart explanatory of a full application activationprocess.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overall Construction of Mixing System

FIG. 1 is a block diagram explanatory of an example general constructionof an embodiment of a mixing system, namely an audio signal processingsystem, to which is applied the present invention. This mixing system(audio signal processing system) comprises a plurality of systemcomponent apparatus (nodes) including a plurality of types of audiosignal processing apparatus, such as consoles 1, mixing engines 2 andI/O apparatus 3. Of the system component apparatus, apparatus, such asthe consoles 1, mixing engines 2 and I/O apparatus 3, which sharelater-described audio signal lines (audio signals), will hereinafter bereferred to as “audio signal processing apparatus”, to distinguish fromother system component apparatus, such as a PC 6, than the audio signalprocessing apparatus. Namely, the mixing system comprises a group of allof the audio signal processing apparatus interconnected via an audionetwork and sharing all of the audio signal lines and all of the othersystem component apparatus (nodes) connected, via a computer network, tothe audio signal processing apparatus sharing the audio signal lines. Inthe mixing system, the plurality of types of audio signal processingapparatus cooperate to implement mixing processing on audio signals of aplurality of channels. Thus, it is possible to construct a system of anextremely large scale (i.e., having a great number of channels). In theillustrated example of FIG. 1, the system of FIG. 1 includes, as theaudio signal processing apparatus, two consoles 1, three engines 2 andthree I/O apparatus 3. However, for convenience of description, the sametypes of audio signal processing apparatus are depicted by the samereference numerals in the drawings, and the following description willbe given assuming that the mixing system includes only system componentapparatus per type, i.e. one console 1, one engine 2 and one I/Oapparatus 3.

<Audio Network Connection>

The audio network 4 is a ring-shaped network formed by sequentiallyconnecting between the audio signal processing apparatus 1-3 usingnetwork cables of the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard. Suchconnections between the audio signal processing apparatus via the audionetwork 4 will hereinafter referred to as “audio network connections (ANconnections)”. Each of the AN-connected audio signal processingapparatus 1-3 can transmit audio signals of a plurality of channels toanother audio signal processing apparatus in substantially real timeusing audio signal lines of a plurality of channels provided by theaudio network 4. The AN-connected audio signal processing apparatus 1-3share all of the audio signal lines of the audio network 4 (i.e., allaudio signals communicated using all of the audio signal lines). Inother words, each of the AN-connected audio signal processing apparatus1-3 can transmit any audio signal, output therefrom, to any one of theother audio signal processing apparatus, and each of the AN-connectedaudio signal processing apparatus 1-3 can receive any audio signaloutput from any one of the other audio signal processing apparatus.

All of the audio signal processing apparatus 1 to 3 sharing all of theaudio signal lines provide by the audio network 4 (i.e., all of theAN-connected audio signal processing apparatus) have respectivemechanisms capable of recognizing the mixing system which they belongto. For example, a unique system number is assigned to each mixingsystem and each of the audio signal processing apparatus 1 to 3 stores,in its memory, the unique system number of the mixing system, so thateach of the audio signal processing apparatus 1 to 3 can recognize themixing system which it belongs to.

<Computer Network Connection>

A personal computer (PC) 6 is connected to the console 1 via a hub 5. Inthe instant embodiment, the PC 6, which is a system component apparatusother than the audio signal processing apparatus (hereinafter referredto as “non-audio-signal-processing system component apparatus”) isconstructed to be incapable of being connected to the audio network 4.Thus, the connection between the PC 6 (non-audio-signal-processingsystem component apparatus) and the console 1 (audio signal processingapparatus) will hereinafter be referred to as “computer networkconnection” or “CN connection” to distinguish from the audio networkconnection (AN connection). The CN connection is an ordinary type of LAN(Local Area Network) connection. Primarily, control signals (controldata) are communicated between the CN-connected console 1 (audio signalprocessing apparatus) and PC 6 (system component apparatus). Thus, forexample, the console 1 can be remote-controlled from the PC 6CN-connected with the console 1. Also, in the CN connection, no audiosignal line is established, and thus, no audio signal is shared betweenthe CN-connected console 1 and PC 6. Note that an audio signal can becommunicated in an ordinary LAN connection (herein referred to as “CNconnection”) between the console 1 and the PC 6 using aconventionally-known audio signal communication protocol, such as theVoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). However, the communication speedand bandwidth in the CN connection are extremely slower and narrowerthan those in the AN connection. Therefore, it is difficult to share anaudio signal while securing realtimeness with the audio signalcommunication performed in the AN connection using an audio signalcommunication protocol for use in an ordinary LAN connection. Thus, theinstant embodiment is constructed to not establish any audio signal linein the CN connection.

The PC 6 is configured as a system component apparatus which belongs tothe mixing system although it does not share any audio signal line witheach of the audio signal processing apparatus of the mixing system. ThePC 6 is set to belong to only one mixing system. For example, as atypical way for the PC 6 to recognize the one mixing system which the PC6 belongs to, information uniquely identifying the console 1 (i.e.,other party) in the CN connection may be stored in the memory of the PC6 in such a manner that the CN-connected console 1 and PC 6 cancommunicate with each other directly. One example of the informationuniquely identifying the other party of the CN connection may be an MAC(Media Access Control) address, IP address or the like. By identifyingthe other party of the CN connection on the basis of such informationuniquely identifying the other party of the CN connection, the PC 6 canrecognize the mixing system which the PC 6 (and the other party of theCN connection) belong to. The other party of the PC 6, i.e. the console1, also stores in its memory information uniquely identifying the PC 6in the CN connection, so that console 1 can recognize that the PC 6among various apparatus CN-connected thereto belongs to the mixingsystem. Thus, even where the PC 6 is physically connected with an audiosignal processing apparatus belonging to a different mixing system fromthe console 1, the PC 6 does not redundantly belong to a plurality ofmixing systems.

<Internet Connection>

Further, the PC 6 is connected to the Internet 7 via the hub 5, so thatthe PC 6 can communicate various data with a server computer 8 via theInternet 7. Interconnecting the apparatus via the Internet 7 like thiswill hereinafter be referred to as “Internet connection” to distinguishfrom other connections. The PC 6 can access a Web site provided by theserver computer 8, to acquire a program, data, etc. from the Web sitevia the Internet 7. In the system configuration of FIG. 1, the console 1too is connected to the Internet 7 via the hub 5 and thus cancommunicate various data with the server computer 8 via the Internet 7.

<Modification of the Construction of the Mixing System>

Whereas the mixing system of FIG. 1 has been described in relation tothe case where the PC 6 is CN-connected to the console 1 via the hub 5,the PC 6 may be CN-connected directly to the console 1. In this casetoo, the PC 6 can recognize the mixing system it belongs to, by havinginformation (MAC or IP address) uniquely identifying the console 1CN-connected with the PC 6 as noted above.

<Overview of Behavior of the Mixing System>

The console 1 functions as a system control apparatus for controllingoverall operation of the entire mixing system, which accepts variousparameter setting operation by a user and transmits instructions(control data), corresponding to the received parameter settingoperation, to other audio signal processing apparatus 2 and 3 via theaudio network 4 to thereby remote-control behavior of the other audiosignal processing apparatus 2 and 3. On the basis of the instructiongiven from the console 1, the engine 2 performs signal processing, suchas mixing processing, on audio signals input from outside via the I/Oapparatus 3. The audio signals, having been subjected to the signalprocessing by the engine 2, are output to outside via the I/O apparatus3. Further, on the console 1, the user can monitor content (values ofparameters etc.) of the signal processing being performed by the engine2, and various data, such as input/output levels of audio signals in theI/O apparatus 3.

The PC 6 executes a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software program sothat it can function as a system control apparatus for controllingoverall operation of the entire mixing system similarly to the console1. Namely, the PC 6, functioning as a system control apparatus, acceptsvarious parameter setting operation by a user and transmits instructions(control data), responsive to the accepted parameter setting operation,to other audio signal processing apparatus 2 and 3 via the audio network4 to thereby remote-control behavior of the other audio signalprocessing apparatus 2 and 3.

<Mixing Processing on Audio Signals>

FIG. 2 is a block diagram explanatory of individual operations of themixing processing performed on audio signals in the mixing system shownin FIG. 1. The operations of the mixing processing are implementedthrough cooperation among the console 1, engine 2 and I/O apparatus 3that are audio signal processing apparatus of the mixing system.

An analog input (“A input”) section 50 is provided for inputting analogaudio signals from analog audio signal input sources, such asmicrophones, various musical instruments and music reproduction (play)apparatus. A digital input (“D input”) section 51 is provided forinputting digital audio signals from digital audio signal input sources,such as digital music equipment. The A input and D input sections 50 and51 are implemented by audio signal input functions of the audio signalprocessing apparatus 1 to 3 (particularly, the audio signal inputfunction of the I/O apparatus 3). Each analog audio signal input via theanalog input section 50 is converted at predetermined sampling periodand then supplied to an input patch section 52. Each digital audiosignal input via the digital input section 51 is supplied to the inputpatch section 52 after being subjected to digital conversion, such asformat conversion, as necessary.

The system control apparatus (console 1) sets the input patch section 52to allocate the input signals, supplied from the individual inputsections (A input and D input sections 50 and 51), to input channels ofan input channel section 53 provided at a stage following the inputpatch section 52. Here, the term “patch” refers to allocating an outputdestination to an input source (i.e., connecting an output destinationto an input source). Each output destination can be allocated to onlyone input source and cannot be allocated to two input sources at thesame time. A user can input desired patch setting instructions via thesystem control apparatus (console 1). In the mixing system, desiredpatch settings, such as one for allocating an input signal of the I/Oapparatus 3 to an input channel of the engine 2, can be made via theaudio network 4. In this case, the patch settings include, in additionto the settings for allocating output destinations to input sources,path settings of audio signal communication lines (i.e., settings as towhich audio signals are to be transmitted via which audio signalcommunication lines) in the audio network 4.

The input channel section 53 comprises a plurality of (e.g., 128) inputchannels, each of which is a signal processing channel that performssignal processing, including level adjustment, equalizing, effectimpartment, etc., on each input digital audio signal and outputs theresultant processed audio signal to a MIX bus section 54 provided at astage following the input channel section 53. The MIX bus section 54comprises a plurality of (e.g., 96) bus lines, and one or more outputsignals of one or more input channels of the input channel section 53are output to each of the bus lines of the MIX bus section 54. Each ofthe bus lines of the MIX bus section 54 mixes together the one or moreoutput signals and outputs the resultant mixed signal (mixed result) toa MIX output channel section 55. The output channel section 55 comprisesa plurality of output channels provided in corresponding relation to thebus lines of the MIX bus section 54. Each of the output channels of theoutput channel section 55 performs signal processing, such as leveladjustment, on the audio signal supplied from the corresponding busline. These input channel section 53, MIX bus section 54 and outputchannel section 55 are implemented by processing of microprogramsexecuted by a DSP section (which will be later described in relation toFIG. 3) of the engine 2.

An output signal of each of the output channels of the MIX outputchannel section 55 is supplied to an output patch section 56. The outputpatch section 56 makes settings for allocating the supplied outputsignals of the output channels to output sections provided at a stagefollowing the output patch section 56. The output sections in theillustrated example are an analog output (A output) section 57 and adigital output (D output) section 58. The A output section 57 convertseach digital audio signal, supplied from the output patch section 56,into an analog audio signal and outputs the converted analog audiosignal to any one of external output destinations, such as headphones,speakers, amplifiers, recorders, etc. The D output section 58 performs,as necessary, digital conversion, such as format conversion, on eachdigital audio signal supplied from the output patch section 56, and thenoutputs the converted audio signal to any one of external outputdestinations, such as audio equipment having a digital audio signalinput.

Further, a built-in or internal effecter (internal EF) 59 and plug-ineffecter (plug-in EF) 60 are implemented by microprograms for causingthe DSP (FIG. 3) of the engine 2 to perform effect impartment processing(i.e., effect processing) on an audio signal. The internal EF 59 is aprogram pre-installed in the engine 2 prior to factory shipment. Theplug-in EF 60 is an application program additionally installed by auser; namely, the plug-in EF 60 is a program made available by the userpurchasing a license of the program separately from purchase of theapparatus. The internal EF 59 and plug-in EF 60 each containmicroprograms corresponding to a plurality of types of effects.

The internal EF 59 and plug-in EF 60 can be used as a system effecter(system EF) 61 and insertion effecter (insertion EF) 62, respectively.The system effecter 61 performs the effect processing on an outputsignal of the output patch section 56 (i.e., output signal of the MIXoutput channel section 55) and then outputs the resultanteffect-imparted signal to the input patch section 52. On the other hand,the insertion EF 62 is an effecter inserted in the input channel section53 and performs effect processing on an audio signal being processed inthe input channel section 53 of usable effects.

The user can select a desired effect type from the internal EF 59 andplug-in EF 60 and allocate the selected effect type to the system EF 61or insertion EF 62. The DSP of the engine 2 operates on the basis of themicroprograms corresponding to the selected effect type to therebyimplement the system EF 61 or insertion EF 62. Because arithmeticresources of the DSP of the engine 2, a total number of effects usableas the system EF 61 and insertion EF 62 is set in advance, and theinternal EF 59 and plug-in EF 60 are allocated to the system EF 61 andinsertion EF 62 within the range of the total number.

<Hardware Construction of Each of the Apparatus>

FIGS. 3A to 3D are block diagrams explanatory of an example hardwareconstruction of each of the apparatus constituting the mixing system, ofwhich FIG. 3A shows the console 1, FIG. 3B shows the engine 2, FIG. 3Cshows the I/O apparatus 3 and FIG. 3D shows the PC 6.

<Construction Common to All of the Apparatus>

In FIGS. 3A to 3D, a CPU 10, 20, 30 or 40, a memory 11, 21, 31 or 41including a ROM (Read-Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and aUSB terminal (USB I/O) 13, 23, 33 or 43 are components common to all ofthe audio signal processing apparatus (console 1, engine 2 and I/Oapparatus 3) and the apparatus other than the audio signal processingapparatus, i.e. non-audio-signal processing system component apparatus(PC 6). In each of the apparatus, the individual components (blocks) areconnected to the CPU 10, 20, 30 or 40 via a CPU bus 100, 200, 300 or 400in such a manner that data can be communicated between the components(blocks) and the CPU 10, 20, 30 or 40. The CPU 10, 20, 30 or 40 executescontrol programs, stored in the memory 11, 21, 31 or 41, to therebycontrol overall operation of the entire apparatus.

Each of the computer network terminals (PC I/Os) 12, 22, 32 and 42 is aninterface for CN-connecting the audio signal processing apparatus 1-3and non-audio-signal-processing system component apparatus (PC 6). Also,each of the PC I/Os) 12, 22, 32 and 42 can also be used to connect theaudio signal processing apparatus 1-3 and PC 6 to the Internet 7.Further, the console 1 and the PC 6 are connected to the Internet 7 viathe hub 5 connected to their respective PC I/Os 12 and 42.

Each of the USB terminals (USB I/Os) 13, 23, 33 and 43 is an interfacefor connecting, to the audio signal processing apparatus 1-3 or PC 6,peripheral equipment (USB apparatus) for reading and writing data usingthe USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. Because each of the audiosignal processing apparatus 1-3 and PC 6 belonging to the mixing systemhas its USB terminal 13, 23, 33 or 43, a “USB dongle” can be detachablyconnected to each of the audio signal processing apparatus 1-3 and PC 6.Further, each of the audio signal processing apparatus 1-3 and PC 6 canwrite and read data to and from the USB dongle connected thereto. The“USB dongle” will be described in detail later.

<Construction Common to All of the Audio Signal Processing Apparatus>

Each of the console 1 of FIG. 3A, engine 2 of FIGS. 3B and I/O apparatus3 of FIG. 3C is provided with an audio terminal (A I/O) 14, 24 or 34 andan audio network terminal (AN I/O) 15, 25 or 35. The audio terminals (AI/Os) 14, 24 and 34 are each an interface for inputting and outputtingaudio signals and correspond to the A input section 50, D input section51, A output section 57 and D output section 58. The audio networkterminals (AN I/Os) 15, 25 and 35 are each an interface for connectingthe audio signal processing apparatus 1-3 in question to the audionetwork 4. Each of the audio signal processing apparatus 1-3 cancommunicate (i.e., transmit and receive) various data with the otheraudio signal processing apparatus, connected to the audio network 4, viaits AN I/O 15, 25 or 35.

In each of the audio signal processing apparatus 1-3, the A I/O 14, 24or 34 and the AN I/O 15, 25 or 35 are interconnected via a respectivesignal routing audio bus 16, 26 or 36, and thus, digital audio signals(sample waveform data) can be transmitted, per sampling period, betweenthe A I/O 14, 24 or 34 and the AN I/O 15, 25 or 35 via the signalrouting audio bus 16, 26 or 36.

<Construction of the Console>

As shown in FIG. 3A, the console 1 is provided with a display (“Pdisplay”) section 17 provided on an operation panel, panel controls (“Pcontrols”) 18 via which the user can perform various operation (or whichaccept various user's operation), and sound volume level adjustingcontrols 19 for adjusting sound volume levels of audio signals ofindividual channels. The display section 17, which is for example in theform of a liquid crystal display, displays various information on thebasis of display control signals given from the CPU 10 via the CPU bus100. The panel controls 18 are a multiplicity of controls provided onthe operation panel. Each of the sound volume level adjusting controls19 is for example in the form of a so-called electric fader F, which hasa knob portion whose operating position is electrically controlled bythe CPU 10. The A I/O 14 of the console 1 includes a microphone inputterminal, a headphone output terminal, etc.

The user can set various parameters for the signal processing to beperformed by the engine 2, make patch settings, etc. by use of the paneldisplay section 17, panel controls 18 and sound volume level adjustingcontrols 19 of the console 1. The CPU 10 of the console 1 generatesremote-controlling data in response to operation of any of the paneldisplay section 17, panel controls 18 and sound volume level adjustingcontrols 19. The memory 11 of the console 1 includes a current bufferarea for storing therein settings (setting values) of various parametersfor remote-controlling the signal processing to be performed by theengine 2, and the stored content of the current buffer area is updatedwith the remote-controlling data generated by the CPU 10 in response tooperation by the user. The stored content of the current buffer area istransmitted to other system component apparatus, constituting the mixingsystem, via the audio network 4 so that it is reflected in varioussettings in the other system component apparatus.

<Construction of the Engine>

As shown in FIG. 3B, the engine 2 is provided with a signal processing(DSP (Digital Signal Processor)) section 27 that performs the signalprocessing on audio signals. The DSP section 27 may comprise either asingle DSP or a plurality of DSPs interconnected via a bus so that thesignal processing can be performed distributively by the plurality ofDSPs. The DSP section 27 is connected to the A I/O 24 and AN I/O 25 viathe signal routing audio bus 26, so that digital audio signals (samplewaveform data) of a plurality of channels can be communicated, persampling period, between the DSP section 27 and the A I/O 24 and AN I/O25. Further, a simple user interface (“simple UI”) 28 is a userinterface including, among other things, a power switch andoperation-checking LED indicators. Further, the A I/O 24 of the engine 2includes a microphone input terminal, a headphone output terminal, etc.

Audio signals of a plurality of channels input via the A I/O 24 and ANI/O 25 (mainly, audio signals input from the I/O apparatus 3) aresupplied, per sampling period, to the DSP section 27 via the signalrouting audio bus 26. The DSP section 27 performs, per sampling period,signal processing, based on microprograms, on the audio signals (samplewaveform data) of the plurality of channels supplied via the signalrouting audio bus 26. The signal processing performed by the DSP section27 includes mixing processing (i.e., processing by the input channelsection 53, MIX bus section 54 and MIX output channel section 55 of FIG.2) on the audio signals, and effect processing (i.e., effect processing(system EF 61 and insertion EF 62) using the internal EF 59 and plug-inEF 60) on the audio signals. The mixing processing and effect processing(namely, signal processing on audio signals) will hereinafter bereferred to collectively as “audio signal processing”.

Various parameters for the audio signal processing to be performed bythe DSP section 27 are controlled on the basis of remote-controllingdata generated by the console 1 (i.e., stored content of the currentbuffer area). The remote-controlling data generated by the console 1 aresupplied to the engine 2 via the audio network 4. In the engine 2, theremote-controlling data are supplied to the DSP section 27 via the ANI/O 25. Audio signals (sample waveform data) of a plurality of channelsare supplied, per sampling period, to the AN I/O 25 or A I/O 24 via thesignal routing audio bus 26, so that the audio signals are output viathe AN I/O 25 to other audio signal processing apparatus (I/O apparatus3 etc.) on the network 4 or output via the A I/O 24 to a headphoneoutput terminal (monitoring output).

<Construction of the I/O Apparatus>

In the I/O Apparatus 3 of FIG. 3C, the A I/O 34 is an interface forinputting or outputting analog audio signals or digital audio signals ofa multiplicity of channels. The A I/O 34 is implemented by a card havingan analog audio signal input function, an analog audio signal outputfunction, or a digital audio signal input/output function. With such acard, a necessary conversion process (A/D conversion, D/A conversion ordigital conversion (format conversion)) is performed. The A I/O 34includes analog audio signal input terminals of a plurality of channels,analog audio signal output terminals of a plurality of channels, ordigital audio signal input/output terminals of a plurality of channels.The I/O Apparatus 3 acquires audio signals of a multiplicity of channelsfrom external input sources via the A I/O 34 to supply the acquiredaudio signals to the signal routing audio bus 36, and outputs audiosignals of a multiplicity of channels, acquired from the signal routingaudio bus 36, to external output destinations via the A I/O 34.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, the I/O Apparatus 3 includes a simple userinterface (simple UI) 37. The simple UI 37 is a simple user interfaceincluding, among other things, a power switch and operation-checking LEDindicators. Further, the I/O Apparatus 3 includes an AN I/O (i.e.,“second AN I/O”) 38 in addition to the AN I/O 35. By connecting anetwork cable, connected to the second AN I/O 38, to an AN I/O ofanother mixing system than the mixing system which the I/O Apparatus 3belongs to, the two mixing systems can be interconnected.“interconnecting two mixing systems” means allowing the two mixingsystems to share some audio signals, or creating a state where the twomixing systems can share some audio signals. However, in such a casetoo, the I/O Apparatus 3 belongs only to the single mixing systemAN-connected therewith via the AN I/O 35, and never belongs to the othermixing system connected therewith via the second AN I/O 38. Another formof “interconnecting two mixing systems” may comprise allowing the twomixing systems to share all audio signals, or creating a state where thetwo mixing systems can share all audio signals. In this case, the twomixing systems function as a single mixing system.

<Construction of the PC>

The PC 6 is a general-purpose personal computer, and, as shown in FIG.3D, it includes, as user interfaces, a display section 44 and anoperation section (“KB”) 45. The display section 44, which is forexample in the form of a liquid crystal display, displays information,such as various screens, under control of the CPU 40. The operationsection 45 includes a keyboard, mouse, etc. By the CPU 40 executing DAW(Digital Audio Workstation) programs stored in the memory 41, the PC 6can function as a system control apparatus for controlling overalloperation of the entire mixing system similarly to the console 1, asnoted earlier.

<USB Dongle>

Here, the “USB dongle”, which is a hardware key also called “protectdongle” or “security dongle”, is in the form of a small-size,USB-connection-type storage medium having superior portability. The “USBdongle” functions as a license managing storage device, which has alicense managing mechanism that permits or authorizes execution (fullactivation) of an application program, which is to be subjected tolicense management (to be license-managed), only when the USB dongle isconnected to the USB terminal 13, 23, 33 or 43 of any of the systemcomponent apparatus (audio signal processing apparatus 1 to 3 and PC 6)constituting the mixing system. In the instant embodiment, the USBdongle has no mechanism, such as a CPU, for performing processing. Aswill be later described in detail, the USB dongle functions as a licensemanaging storage device by storing therein the application program to belicense-managed and an access key (license) for permitting orauthorizing execution (full activation) of the application program inassociation with each other. Namely, although execution (fullactivation) of the application program to be license-managed is notpermitted before authentication of the license (i.e., beforeauthentication with the access key), the application program is allowedto be executed (fully activated) in the mixing system by alater-detailed process performing authentication of the license usingthe access key recorded in the USB dongle. Note that illustration of theUSB dongle is omitted in FIGS. 3A to 3D.

<Serial Number>

Although not shown in FIG. 3, all of the system component apparatus anddevices including the USB dongle (i.e. console 1, engine 2, I/Oapparatus 3, PC 6 and USB dongle), which constitute the mixing system,have their respective unique serial numbers. Each of the serial numbersis apparatus identification information that identifies the apparatusassigned the serial number. It is preferable that the serial numbers beof a data format common to all of the apparatus. Each of the systemcomponent apparatus of the mixing system can identify itself with theserial number assigned thereto.

<Stored Content of the USB Dongle>

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram explanatory of the stored content of theUSB dongle. As shown, the USB dongle 70 has recorded therein a serialnumber 63 unique to the hardware device of the USB dongle. The USBdongle 70 also stores therein, as a set of mutually-associatedinformation (i.e., information set) 64, an application program 65included in an application package purchased by the user, a product ID66 unique to the application package and an access key 67 for permittingexecution (full activation) of the application program 65. A pluralityof such information sets (three sets in the illustrated example of FIG.4) 64 may be recorded in one USB dongle 70. In FIG. 4, numbers “#1”,“#2” and “#3” are attached to individual letter strings “product ID”,“access key” and “program” to distinguish among the information sets 64.Details of the individual data will be discussed later.

Hereinafter, a product of each application program to be traded will bereferred to as “application package”. Each “application package”comprises a combination of an application program (“program”) 65 and aproduct ID 66 as illustrated in FIG. 5A. The term “application program”refers only to the application program 65 of the application package.The application program will hereinafter also be referred to simply as“application”.

<Purchase of Application Package>

Each time the user additionally purchases an application package andacquires the access key for permitting execution (full activation) ofthe application program included in the purchased application package,one information set 64 is written into the USB dongle 70 through a writeprocess as set forth below. FIGS. 5A to 5E are block diagramsexplanatory of data transition occurring until one information set 64(application program 65, product ID 66 and access key 67) is recordedinto the USB dongle 70.

In FIG. 5A, a package selling site 71 is a Web site on the Internetwhich sells, as an application package (product), an application programusable in the mixing system. The user can purchase a desired applicationpackage by accessing the package selling site 71 from the PC 6 via theInternet.

The user can download the purchased application package from the packageselling site 71 to its PC 6. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5A, the applicationprogram 65 and product ID 66 (i.e., data indicated by thick line in thefigure), constituting the application package transmitted from thepackage selling site 71, are recorded into the PC 6; a storagedestination of the purchased application package (application program 65and product ID 66) may, for example, be a suitable storage medium, suchas a built-in hard disk, of the PC 6. Assume here that a billing processfor the purchase of the application package is performed during purchaseprocedure in the package selling site 71.

<Application Program>

Each application program 65 is an application that adds a predeterminedfunction to the mixing system. In the instant embodiment, it is assumedthat the application program 65 is an application for use as a plug-ineffecter EF 60 (FIG. 2) that adds an effecter function. The applicationprogram 65 contains all programs necessary for execution and control, inthe mixing system, of one function (effecter function in this case)possessed by the application program, in the mixing system.

The above-mentioned “all programs” include an installer of theapplication program, and application programs for use in the individualsystem component apparatus constituting the mixing system. Theapplication programs for use in the individual system componentapparatus are apparatus-specific application programs, i.e. a pluralityof types of application programs corresponding to types of functions ofthe individual system component apparatus, such as a screen displayingGUI (Graphical User Interface) program for use in the console 1,microprograms for use in the DSP section 27 of the engine 2 and a screendisplaying GUI program for use in the PC 6. Generally, the applicationprogram that adds a predetermined function to the mixing system has noapparatus-specific for use in the I/O apparatus 3; however, if the I/Oapparatus 3 has a simple display section or the like provided thereon,then the application program may include a GUI program for use in theI/O apparatus 3.

<Product ID of Application Package>

Each product ID 66 is ID data unique to an application package purchasedby the user, and it includes application program identificationinformation (application identification information) identifying theapplication program contained in the application package. Theapplication identification information is, for example, a name of theapplication package (application name). In a case where the applicationis an effect processing application program, the application programidentification information may be a name indicative of an effect type,such as “reverberation” or “chorus”. For convenience of description,applications having a common or same application name will hereinafterbe referred to as “applications of the same type” or “same type ofapplications”.

Because each product ID 66 is ID data unique to an application package,different application packages providing the same type of applicationhave different product IDs 66. Further, because each product ID 66includes application identification information (application name), evendifferent application packages have part of the product ID 66 (morespecifically, part of the application name) in common as long as theapplication packages provide the same type of application. Thus, on thebasis of the product ID 66, it is possible to identify one applicationpackage corresponding to the ID 66 and identify one application program65 corresponding to the application name.

The application program may be acquired by the user acquiring a portablestorage medium (e.g., CD-ROM) containing the program, rather than by theuser downloading the data from the package selling site 71. Further, theproduct ID may be acquired physically, for example, from a portablestorage medium (e.g., CD-ROM) having recorded therein data of theproduct ID, a paper medium having written thereon a letter stringindicative of the product ID or the like, rather than by the userdownloading the data from the package selling site 71.

<Access Key Issuance and Data Write Process on the USB Dongle>

FIG. 6 is a flow chart explanatory of issuance of an access key and thedata write process on the USB dongle. The following description will begiven in relation to a case where the USB dongle 70 is connected to theUSB terminal 43 of the PC 6 and the PC 6 functions as an apparatus forwriting data into the USB dongle 70. Namely, the CPU 40 of the PC 6performs the process of FIG. 6. Note that FIG. 6 shows, in the singleflow chart, both a process performed by the CPU 40 of the PC 6 and alater-described process performed in an access key issuing site 72.

At step S1, the CPU 40 of the PC 6 acquires application programidentification information (application identification information) foridentifying an application program which is to be subjected to licensemanagement, i.e. for which an access key is to be issued. In the instantembodiment, the product ID 66 corresponding to the application programis acquired, at step S1, as the application program identificationinformation. Where the application package has been downloaded from thepackage selling site 71 to the PC 6 as in the illustrated example ofFIG. 5A, the CPU 40 of the PC 6 may automatically read out the productID 66 downloaded and stored into a storage medium, as one example way ofacquiring the application identification information. If, for example,the product ID 66 is provided in a printed form (e.g., on a papermedium), then a predetermined input screen provided by the access keyissuing site 72 is displayed on the display section 44 of the PC 6, andthe user is caused to manually input the product ID 66 to the inputscreen. Whereas it is assumed here that the product ID 66 (i.e.,information identifying the application package) itself is acquired atstep S1 as the application identification information, the presentinvention is not so limited, and only the application identificationinformation (application name) identifying the application program maybe acquired (e.g., an operation for extracting the application name fromthe product ID may be performed).

At step S2, the CPU 40 of the PC 6 automatically reads out the serialnumber 63 from the USB dongle 70 connected to the USB terminal 43. Asshown in FIG. 5B, the serial number 63 (data surrounded by thick line inthe figure) read out from the USB dongle 70 at step S2 is recorded intothe PC 6. With the operation of step S2, the PC 6 acquires apparatusidentification information (serial number 63) identifying a licensemanaging storage device that will become a recording (storage)destination of an access key to be generated. Namely, with the operationof step S2, the CPU 40 of PC 6 functions as a recording identificationsection which identifies a recording section from among recordingsections in the audio signal processing system.

At next step S3, the CPU 40 of the PC 6 transmits, as a set ofmutually-associated information, the product ID 66 acquired at step S1and the serial number 63 acquired at step S2 to the access key issuingsite 72 via the Internet 7. Alternatively, at step S3, the applicationidentification information (application name), which is a part of theproduct ID 66, may be extracted from the product ID 66 and a set ofinformation comprising the extracted application name and the serialnumber 63 may be transmitted to the access key issuing site 72, insteadof the product ID 66 itself being transmitted to the access key issuingsite 72 as noted above. As another alternative, data based on theextracted application name may be newly generated, and a set ofinformation comprising the thus-generated data and serial number 66 maybe transmitted to the access key issuing site 72. For example, the datato be newly generated may be a combination of the application name andsome other data, such as a user's name. In any case, it is essential totransmit a set of the application name and serial number 63 to theaccess key issuing site 72.

<Issuance of Access Key>

The access key issuing site 72 is a Web site on the Internet whichissues an access key 67 to be used for license management of anapplication package sold by the package selling site 71. At step S4, theaccess key issuing site 72 receives the information (i.e., the set ofthe product ID 66 and serial number 63) transmitted from the PC 6 atstep S3 above. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5C, the product ID 66 and serialnumber 63 (i.e., data surrounded by thick line in the figure)transmitted from the PC 6 is recorded into the access key issuing site72 as a set of information.

Then, at step S5, the access key issuing site 72 generates an access key67 on the basis of the application identification information(application name) that is a part of the product ID 66 received at stepS4 and the serial number 63 (apparatus identification information) ofthe USB dongle 70 that will become a recording destination of the accesskey. The generated access key 67 is data comprising the applicationidentification information, identifying the corresponding applicationprogram, and the serial number 63, and this access key 67 is used topermit or authorize activation of the application program identified bythe application identification information. Then, at step S6, the accesskey issuing site 72 transmits the access key 67, generated at step S5,to the PC 6. Steps S4 to S6 are directed to operations performed by aCPU of a server computer providing the access key issuing site 72.

<Data Write to the USB Dongle>

At step S7, the CPU 40 of the PC 6 receives the access key 67transmitted from the access key issuing site 72 at step S6 above.Namely, the operations of steps S4 to S7 function as an access keyinformation acquisition means for acquiring the access key 67 (forauthorizing execution (full activation) of the application identified bythe application identification information) generated on the basis ofthe application identification information (application name) andapparatus identification information (serial number 63). FIG. 5D shows amanner in which the access key 67 is created in the access key issuingsite 72 on the basis of the serial number 63 and part of the product ID66 (application name) and then the created access key 67 is recordedinto the memory 41. At this stage, as shown in FIG. 5D, the receivedaccess key 67 and various data used for generation of the access key 67(in the instant embodiment, the serial number 63, product ID 66 andapplication program 65) are recorded into the memory 41 of the PC 6.

At step S8, the CPU 40 of the PC 6 identifies the application program 65and product ID 66 corresponding to the part of the product ID(application name) used for creation of the access key 67, and thenextracts the thus-identified application program 65 and product ID 66.Such an operation of step S8 functions as an application programacquisition means for acquiring the application program identified bythe application identification information. In the instant embodiment,even when the application program 65 could not be successfullyextracted, control proceeds to step S9 as long as at least the productID 66 corresponding to the access key 67 could be extracted.

If the product ID 66 could not been successfully extracted at step S8above, information to that effect is displayed on the display section 44of the PC 6, after which the data write process is brought to an end. Inthis case, an operation of next step S9 for writing data into the USBdongle is not performed, and the data write process is terminated afterdeleting all of the data prepared in the PC 6 (i.e. access key 67,product ID 66, application program 65 and serial number 63) and all ofthe data present in the access key issuing site 72 (access key 67,serial number 63 and product ID 66).

At step S9, the CPU 40 of the PC 6 extracts the USB dongle 70 identifiedby the serial number 63 (USB dongle identification information) used forgeneration of the received access key 67, and, if the USB dongle 70having the serial number 63 has been extracted (i.e., if the CPU 40 ofthe PC 6 has such a USB dongle 70 connected thereto), it writes, as aset of mutually associated information 64, the access key 67, receivedat step S7, and the product ID 66 and application program 65, identifiedat step S8, into the extracted USB dongle 70. In summary, with theoperations at steps S3 to S9, the CPU 40 of PC 6 functions as arecording control section which records, into the recording sectionidentified by the recording identification section, the applicationprogram and the access key information for authorizing the activation ofthe application program in association with each other.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 5E, the information set 64 comprising theapplication program 65, product ID 66 and access key 67 (indicated bythick line in FIG. 5E) is recorded into the USB dongle 70. Further, ifthe application program 65 corresponding to the access key 67 could notbe extracted at step S8, then only the access key 67 and product ID 66are written into the USB dongle 70 at step S9. Namely, in the instantembodiment, only the product ID 66 is essential as data to be writteninto the USB dongle 70 together with the access key 67, and theapplication program 65 is not essential as the data to be written intothe USB dongle 70.

Upon completion of the data writing to the USB dongle 70 at step S9, theCPU 40 of the PC 6 terminates the data write process after deleting allof the data prepared in the PC 6 (i.e. access key 67, product ID 66,application program 65 and serial number 63) for the access key issuanceand data write process. Also, all of the data prepared in the access keyissuing site 72 (access key 67, serial number 63 and product ID 66) aredeleted as the data write process is terminated.

If the USB dongle 70 identified by the serial number 63 (USB dongleidentification information) used for generation of the received accesskey 67 could not be extracted at step S9 above, i.e. if the CPU 40 ofthe PC 6 has the USB dongle 70, corresponding to the serial number 63,connected thereto, the CPU 40 of the PC 6 terminates the data writeprocess after deleting all of the data recorded in the PC 6 for thecurrent access key generation (i.e. access key 67, product ID 66,application program 65 and serial number 63). Also, all of the datarecorded in the access key issuing site 72 (access key 67, serial number63 and product ID 66) may be deleted as the data write process isterminated. Note that, if the CPU 40 of the PC 6 has the USB dongle 70,corresponding to the serial number 63, connected thereto, only theproduct ID 66 may be left undeleted instead of all of the data beingdeleted.

<Modification of Data Writing Condition>

The operations of steps S8 and S9 have been described above in relationto the case where only the product ID 66 is essential as the data to bewritten into the USB dongle 70. Alternatively, not only the product ID66 but also the application program 65 may be made essential as the datato be written into the USB dongle 70. In such a case, the CPU 40 of thePC 6 performs, at step S8, an operation for extracting the product ID 66corresponding to the part (application name) of the product ID used forgeneration of the access key 67 and an operation for extracting theapplication program 65 corresponding to the part (application name) ofthe product ID used for generation of the access key 67. If both of theapplication program 65 and product ID 66 could be extracted at step S8,then the CPU 40 of the PC 6 records, into the USB dongle 70, not onlythe access key 67 but also the extracted application program 65 andproduct ID 66 as a set of mutually associated information 64. If any oneof the application program 65 and product ID 66 could not be extracted,information to that effect is displayed on the display section 44 of thePC 6, and the CPU 40 of the PC 6 terminates the data write process afterdeleting all of the data recorded in the PC 6 (i.e. access key 67,product ID 66, application program 65 and serial number 63) and all ofthe data recorded in the access key issuing site 72 (i.e., access key67, serial number 63 and product ID 66), without writing any data intothe USB dongle.

<Recording Range of Access Key, etc.>

When an access key 67 is generated using the apparatus identificationinformation (serial number 63) identifying the USB dongle 70 that is arecording destination of the access key 67 and then the thus-generatedaccess key 67 is written into the USB dongle 70, the USB dongle 70 isidentified on the basis of the access key 67. Thus, a recording range ofthe access key 67 (i.e., original access key received from the accesskey issuing site 72) can be limited only to the USB dongle 70corresponding to the serial number 63 used for generation of the accesskey 67.

Further, in the instant embodiment, the original access key 67 recordedin the USB dongle 70 is deleted only when the user intends to delete it,and it is never deleted when a power supply to the system or systemcomponent apparatus has been turned off or the application has beendeactivated. “when the user intends to delete it” is, for example, whenthe user has requested the access key issuing site 72 to delete theaccess key 67. For example, when the user wants to acquire anotheraccess key to the application for which the user has already acquiredthe access key 67, the user may request the access key issuing site 72to delete the existing (already acquired) access key 67. In response tosuch a user's request, the access key issuing site 72 deletes the accesskey 67 recorded in the USB dongle 70.

Further, it is desirable that the access key 67 be recorded in a secureregion of the USB dongle 70. For example, the USB dongle 70 may beconfigured to have two types of storage regions: a secret region whosestored content cannot be viewed by the user; and a non-secret region(i.e., ordinary region) whose stored content can be viewed by the user,so that information having a high confidentiality (e.g., access key 67and product ID 66) is recorded in the secret region while informationhaving a relatively low confidentiality (e.g., application program 65)is recorded in the non-secret region (ordinary region). Further, datarecorded in the USB dongle 70 may be protected so that the data cannotbe referenced by the user. Particularly, the information of a highconfidentiality recorded in the secret region, especially the access key67, is highly necessary to be protected. Such data protection may beimplemented in any desired one of the conventionally-known manners.

With the above-described access key issuance and data write process, thePC 6 functioning as a data write device can acquire the applicationidentification information (i.e., part of the product ID 66) identifyingthe application to be license-managed and the apparatus identificationinformation (i.e., serial number 63) identifying the license managingstorage device (USB dongle 70), and acquire the access key 67 generatedon the basis of the acquired apparatus identification information andapplication identification information. After acquisition of the accesskey 67, the application program 65 is identified on the basis of theapplication identification information used for generation of the accesskey 67, and the thus-identified application program 65 and the accesskey 67 can be recorded into the license managing storage device (i.e.,USB dongle 70) in association with each other.

In the aforementioned manner, an information set 64, where anapplication program 65 and product ID 66 constituting one applicationpackage and an access key 67 are associated with each other, can berecorded into the USB dongle 70 per application package. Thus, it ispossible to simplify license management work, such as association(interconnection) and rearrangement between the application program 65and the access key 67. Further, because the application program 65 andthe access key 67 are recorded in the USB dongle 70 in association witheach other, data rearrangement and license management would not requiremuch time and labor even where a plurality of application programs 65and access keys 67 are present. Further, even in a case where the accesskey information and the application program are acquired throughdifferent acquisition routes, such as where the application program 65is acquired from a CD-ROM while the access key 67 is acquired via theInternet, the license management work would not require much time andlabor. Thus, the instant embodiment can advantageously facilitateadditional recording of an application program and allows the access key67 to be acquired under a secure environment, such as via the Internet.

Each application program 65 is a program created by combining, in asingle package, a plurality of types of programs necessary for aplurality of types of apparatus constituting the mixing system, and oneaccess key 67 is issued for that package. In this respect too, thelicense management can be simplified. Namely, with the aforementionedaccess key issuance and data write process, the instant embodimentallows the access key (license) 67 to be acquired under a secureenvironment via the Internet and maintained appropriately, and thus, itallows the license management work of the application program 65,corresponding to the access key 67, to be performed in aneasy-to-understand manner and without requiring much time and labor.

Whereas the instant embodiment has been described above in relation tothe case where the PC 6, which is a system component apparatus otherthan the audio signal processing apparatus (i.e.,non-audio-signal-processing system component apparatus), functions as adata write apparatus, the present invention is not so limited, and anyof the audio signal processing apparatus 1-3 (typically, the console 1)may function as a data write apparatus. In this case, the audio signalprocessing apparatus 1-3 (typically, the console 1) functioning as adata write apparatus is connected to the Internet 7 and performs thedata write process of FIG. 6 with the USB dongle 70 connected to its USBterminal.

<Installation of Application Program>

FIG. 7 is a flow chart explanatory of a process for installing anapplication program 65, recorded in the USB dongle 70, into the mixingsystem. This installing process is performed in an apparatus (typically,console 1 or PC 6) having accepted an installation executing instructiongiven by the user. The following description will be given in relationto the case where such an installation executing instruction has beengiven via the console 1 (i.e., where the console 1 functions as aninstalling apparatus). Note that no access key 67 is used in theinstalling process described below.

Namely, the user inputs an installation executing instruction using auser interface of the console 1. For example, the CPU 10 of the console1 displays, on the panel display section 17, an installation executingscreen showing a listing of all application programs recorded in the USBdongle 70, and accepts the installation executing instruction given orinput by the user. Namely, the user can select an application program tobe installed from the list shown on the installation executing screen,and input an installation executing instruction for the selectedapplication program 65.

At step S10, the CPU 10 of the console 1 determines whether the USBdongle 70 connected to the USB terminal 13 of the console 1 has recordedtherein the application program 65 selected or designated by the user asan object of installation. At this step S10, only the USB dongle 70directly connected to the USB terminal 13 of the console 1 is searchedfor the designated application program 65.

If the USB terminal 13 of the console 1 has the USB dongle 70 connectedthereto and if the application program 65 designated as an object ofinstallation (i.e., to-be-installed application program 65) is recordedin the USB dongle 70 (YES determination at step S11), control proceedsto step S14. If, on the other hand, the USB terminal 13 of the console 1does not have the USB dongle 70 connected thereto, or if theto-be-installed application program 65 is not recorded in the USB dongle70 (NO determination at step S11), control branches to step S12.

At step S12, the CPU 10 of the console 1 inquires all of the otherapparatus, constituting the mixing system which the console 1 belongsto, whether or not the to-be-installed application program 65 isrecorded in respective USB dongles 70 connected to the other apparatus,and waits for replies to the inquiry from the other apparatus. Namely,such an inquiry is sent to all of the system component apparatusconstituting the mixing system, i.e. a plurality of AN-connected audiosignal processing apparatus (console 1, engine 2 and I/O 3) and thenon-audio-signal-processing system component apparatus (PC 6)CN-connected to the audio signal processing apparatus.

In response to the inquiry sent at step S12, the other apparatus,belonging to the same mixing system as the console 1, each determineswhether or not the to-be-installed application program 65 is recorded inthe USB dongle 70 connected to its USB terminal. Then, each of theapparatus having detected the to-be-installed application program 65returns a reply to that effect. Each of the apparatus having no USBdongle 70 connected thereto and each of the apparatus where theto-be-installed application program 65 is not recorded in the USB dongle70 connected thereto need not reply to the inquiry.

Upon receipt of the reply from the apparatus having detected theto-be-installed application program 65, the CPU 10 of the console 1recognizes the apparatus, having returned the reply, as a source fromwhich to read the to-be-installed application program 65 (i.e., readsource of the to-be-installed application program 65), at step S13.Then, at step S14, the CPU 10 of the console 1 reads out theto-be-installed application program 65 from the USB dongle 70 connectedto the USB terminal 13 of the console 1, or from the USB dongle 13connected to the USB terminal 13 of the apparatus recognized as the readsource at step S13 above.

With the operations at steps S10 to S14, the console 1, functioning asan installing apparatus, searches through all of the system componentapparatus (i.e., all of the audio signal processing apparatus andnon-audio-signal-processing system component apparatus), constitutingthe mixing system which the console 1 belongs to, to detect any USBdongle 70 having recorded therein the application program 65 designatedas an object of installation. Thus, the console 1 can read out theto-be-installed application program 65 from the thus-found USB dongle(i.e., license managing storage device) 70. That the USB dongle 70 hasrecorded therein the to-be-installed application program 65 means thatthe USB dongle 70 has already been subjected to the access key issuanceand data write process described above in relation to FIG. 6. Thus, itmay be said that the CPU 10 of the console 1 reads out theto-be-installed application program 65 from the USB dongle 70 havingrecorded therein an information set 64 comprising the to-be-installedapplication program 65 and the access key 67 associated with each other.In other words, with the operations at steps S10 to S14, the CPU 10 ofthe console 1 functions as a readout section which reads out theapplication program to be installed, stored in the audio signalprocessing system.

If no reply to the inquiry made at step S12 has been returned from anyof the apparatus, i.e. if no USB dongle 70 having recorded therein theto-be-installed application program 65 is connected to any of theapparatus constituting the mixing system, the CPU 10 of the console 1terminates the installing process of FIG. 7.

At step S15, the CPU 10 of the console 1 executes an installer containedin the to-be-installed application program 65 read out at step S14above, to install a necessary application into the console 1. Thus, ofthe to-be-installed application program 65, the necessary application(e.g., screen displaying GUI program) in the console 1 is written intothe memory 11 of the console 1, so that the GUI program can be placed ina state executable in the console 1.

At following step S16, the CPU 10 of the console 1 inquires each of theother system component apparatus, constituting the mixing system, whichapparatus-specific application of the to-be-installed applicationprogram 65 is necessary in the system component apparatus. The“application of the to-be-installed application program 65” necessary inthe system component apparatus is an apparatus-specific applicationprogram, such as the screen displaying GUI program for the console 1 ormicroprograms for the DSP section 27 of the engine 2.

In response to the inquiry received from the CPU 10 of the console 1,the CPU of each of the system component apparatus ascertains anapparatus-specific application program necessary in the apparatus atstep S17, and then the apparatus requests the console 1 for thenecessary apparatus-specific application program at step S18. Theapparatus-specific application program requested to the console 1 is anapplication program of the to-be-installed application program 65 whichis necessary in the requesting apparatus and which has not yet beeninstalled in the requesting apparatus. Therefore, each apparatus wherethe necessary apparatus-specific application program has already beeninstalled or each apparatus where no apparatus-specific applicationprogram is necessary (e.g., I/O apparatus 3) does not transmit to theconsole 1 a request for an apparatus-specific application program.

At step S19, the CPU 10 of the console 1 receives each applicationprogram request transmitted from the system component apparatus at stepS18 above. With the operations of steps S15 to S19, the console 1functioning as the installing apparatus can extract, from among all ofthe system component apparatus constituting the mixing system which theconsole 1 belongs to, each apparatus requiring installation of theapplication program and identify the apparatus-specific applicationprogram for each of the extracted apparatus. In other words, with theoperations of steps S15 to S19, the CPU 10 of the console 1 functions asa program identification section which searches through all of theplurality of system component apparatus, constituting the audio signalprocessing system, to identify any system component apparatus requiringinstallation of the application program and identify theapparatus-specific application program corresponding to the type of theidentified system component apparatus.

Then, per each of the requests received at step S19, the CPU 10 of theconsole 1 takes out the apparatus-specific application program,corresponding to the request, from the to-be-installed applicationprogram 65 read out at step S14 above. At next step S20, the CPU 10 ofthe console 1 transmits the thus-taken-out apparatus-specificapplication program of the to-be-installed application program 65 to thecorresponding system component apparatus, but also instructs each of thesystem component apparatus to install the apparatus-specific applicationprogram. Namely, the operation of step S20, the CPU10 of the console 1functions as an installation instruction section which transmits, toeach of the plurality of system component apparatus identified by theprogram identification section, the apparatus-specific applicationprogram, corresponding to the type of the identified system componentapparatus, of the application program read out by the readout sectionand then instructs the identified system component apparatus to installthe transmitted apparatus-specific application program.

Then, the system component apparatus having received theapparatus-specific application programs install the receivedapparatus-specific application programs. For example, the console 1takes out, from the to-be-installed application program 65, themicroprograms for the DSP section 27 to transmit the read-outmicroprograms to the engine 2, and it also takes out, from theto-be-installed application program 65, the GUI program to transmit theread-out GUI program to the PC 6. The CPU 20 of the engine 2 writes themicroprograms, received from the console 1, into the memory 21 so thatthe microprograms are made executable in the DSP section 27. Further,the CPU 40 of the PC 6 writes the GUI program, received from the console1, into the memory 41 so that the GUI program is made executable in theDSP section 27. In the aforementioned manner, the necessaryapparatus-specific application programs are installed into theindividual system component apparatus, but these application programsare not executed at this stage.

Through the above-described installing process of FIG. 7, the console 1functioning as the installing apparatus reads out the to-be-installedapplication program from the USB dongle (license managing storagedevice) 70 and searches through all of the system component apparatus ofthe mixing apparatus to identify system component apparatus whichrequires installation of the program and apparatus-specific applicationprograms corresponding to the types of the system component apparatus.Then, the console 1 transmits, to each of the identified systemcomponent apparatus, the apparatus-specific application programcorresponding to the type of the apparatus and instructs each of theidentified system component apparatus to install the correspondingtransmitted apparatus-specific application program.

Thus, the necessary apparatus-specific application programs can becollectively installed into all of the requesting system componentapparatus (i.e., all of the audio signal processing apparatus andnon-audio-signal-processing system component apparatus), constitutingthe mixing system which the console 1 belongs to. Thus, in the mixingsystem, operations for additionally installing application programs intothe individual system component apparatus can be performed with ease.Further, the USB dongle 70 having recorded therein the to-be-installedapplication program 65 is searched for through all of the systemcomponent apparatus constituting the mixing system. Thus, as long as theUSB dongle 70 is connected to the USB terminal 13 of the consolefunctioning as the installing apparatus, or the USB dongle 70 is presentsomewhere in the mixing system, it is possible to read out theto-be-installed application program 65 from the USB dongle 70 extractedthrough the search and install the read-out application into each of therequesting apparatus. Further, because the access key 67 to be used forexecution (full activation) of the installed to-be-installed applicationprogram 65 is stored in the USB dongle 70 in association with theprogram 65, a process for authenticating the execution (full activation)of the application program 65 using the access key 67 can be performedsmoothly without requiring much time and labor for finding a storedlocation of the access key 67 and the like. Namely, in the audio signalprocessing system comprising a plurality of system component apparatusincluding a plurality of audio signal control apparatus, it is possibleto not only appropriately perform license management (unauthorized useprevention) of the application program, but also readily performoperations for additionally introducing an application program.

The installing process has been described above in relation to theconstruction where the application recorded in the USB dongle 70 isinstalled, and in relation to the state after completion of the accesskey issuance and data write process of FIG. 6 (i.e., on the assumptionthat the access key 67 and application program 65 have already beenrecorded in the USB dongle 70). However, because the installing processdoes not use the access key, the application program may be installedinto the mixing system before the access key issuance and data writeprocess are performed after purchase of the application package.

<Application Setting Screen>

FIG. 8 shows an application setting screen for the user to performvarious setting operations for the application installed through theinstalling process shown in FIG. 7. Here, it is assumed that theapplication setting screen is displayed on the panel display section 17of the console 1 and various setting operations for the application areperformed using a user interface of the console 1.

In FIG. 8, the application setting screen includes a plurality ofvirtual rack sections 80, to each of which can be allocated oneapplication. In each of the virtual rack sections 80, an applicationselecting virtual switch 81 is a switch image for selecting oneapplication to be allocated to the rack section 80; this applicationselecting virtual switch 81 will hereinafter be referred to simply as“selection switch 81”. In response to user's operation of the selectionswitch 81, the CPU 10 of the console 1 displays, on the panel displaysection 17, a listing of applications (application names) currentlyinstalled in the console 1, to thereby prompt the user to select oneapplication. The user can select one desired application from thedisplayed listing of applications and allocate the selected applicationto the rack section 80 in question. It is assumed here that the userselects an application for adding an effecter function (i.e., plug-in EF60 of FIG. 2).

Further, in each of the virtual rack sections 80, an application displaysection 82 is a region where is displayed the name of the applicationselected by the user. In the illustrated example of FIG. 8, anapplication having a “reverberation” function is allocated to theuppermost rack section 80, and an application having a “chorus” functionis allocated to the second uppermost rack section 80. An input sourcesetting section 83 is a region for setting an input source of an audiosignal to be input to the selected application (effecter), andinformation indicating a currently-set input source (e.g., channel No.)is displayed in this region. An output destination setting section 84 isa region for setting an output destination of an audio signal outputfrom the selected application (effecter), and information indicating acurrently-set output destination (e.g., channel No.) is displayed inthis region.

<Temporary Activation of Application>

The above-mentioned selection switch 81 functions as a temporaryactivation instruction means or section for instructing “temporaryactivation of the application”. Here, “temporary activation of theapplication” is an activation state capable of accepting parametersetting operation related to the application with predeterminedprotection applied to execution (full activation) of the application.Once temporary activation of the application is instructed, the CPU 10of the console 1 invalidates audio signal processing (effectprocessing), based on microprograms related to the application, bysetting at least a “bypass parameter” of the DSP section 27 of theengine 2 to an ON state, and thereby applies predetermined protection toexecution (full activation) of the application. This is operation of aninvalidation means or section implemented by the CPU 10 of the console1. Here, the “predetermined protection” means preventing the user fromusing a result of the signal processing based on the application. Astate where the above-mentioned protection is removed from the“temporary activation” is called “full activation” of the application.In the memory 11 of the console 1 is prepared data indicative of acurrent activation state of the application (i.e., data indicatingwhether the application is currently in the temporary activation stateor in the full activation state). In response to a temporary activationinstruction or full activation instruction, the CPU 10 of the console 1rewrites the data indicative of the current activation state of theapplication or reference the data indicative of the current activationstate of the application as necessary.

By operating the selection switch 81 to select one application, the userinstructs temporary activation of the selected application. Oncetemporary activation of the application is instructed, the CPU 10 of theconsole 1 sets data indicative of “currently in the temporary activationstate” as the data indicative of the current activation state of theapplication, and it allocates resources, necessary for parameterediting, to the application (GUI program) of which the temporaryactivation has been instructed. This is part of operation of a resourceallocation means implemented by the CPU 10 of the console 1. Forexample, the CPU 10 of the console 1 secures a region in the currentbuffer area of the memory 11 for recording therein a group of parametersrelated to the application, and it sets values of various parameters ofthe application in that region. Thus, a parameter editing function(editor) of the application of which the temporary activation has beeninstructed is made usable in the console 1, and the console 1 is placedin a state capable of accepting various parameter setting operationrelated to the application.

Further, in response to the temporary activation instruction of theapplication, the CPU 10 of the console 1 reflects the stored content ofthe current buffer area, where the values of the various parameters ofthe temporarily-activated application have been additionally set, in theengine 2. This is part of operation of the resource allocation meansimplemented by the CPU 10 of the console 1. The engine 2 sets thesettings, stored in the current buffer area, into the audio signalprocessing section (DSP section 27) and starts the audio signalprocessing (effect processing). However, at the temporary activationstage, predetermined protection is applied to the audio signalprocessing (effect processing) of the application.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram explanatory of a configuration of the audiosignal processing (effect processing) performed in the audio signalprocessing section (DSP section 27) on the basis of the microprograms ofthe application. In FIG. 9, an input source 91 and output destination 92represent an input source and output destination of an audio signal setvia the input source setting section 83 and output destination settingsection 84 of the application setting screen of FIG. 8. The plug-in EF90 performs the audio signal processing (effect processing) on an audiosignal, input from the input source 91, on the basis of themicroprograms of the application selected by user's operation of theselection switch 81. Values of parameters for the effect processingcorrespond to values of various parameters set in the current bufferarea of the memory 11. A bypass parameter 93 is a parameter forselecting any one of an ordinary path for supplying the audio signal,input from the input source 91, to the plug-in EF 90 and a bypass pathfor supplying the input audio signal to the output destination 92 withthe plug-in EF 90 bypassed.

Namely, when the bypass parameter 93 is ON, the bypass path is selected,but when the bypass parameter 93 is OFF, the ordinary path is selected.More specifically, when the bypass parameter 93 is ON, the audio signal,input from the input source 91, passes through the bypass path (i.e.,bypasses the plug-in EF 90), so that the audio signal having not beensubjected to the effect processing of the application (i.e., the samesignal as input from the input source 91) is output via the outputdestination 92. When the bypass parameter 93 is OFF, on the other hand,the audio signal, input from the input source 91, is supplied to theplug-in EF 90, so that the audio signal having been subjected to theeffect processing is output via the output destination 92.

In response to a temporary activation instruction of the application,the CPU 10 of the console 1 sets values of various parameters of theapplication into the current buffer area secured for the application, atwhich time it automatically sets the bypass parameter of the variousparameters to an ON state. Because, as noted above, the stored contentof the current buffer area of the memory 11 is reflected in the engine 2in response to the temporary activation instruction of the application,the bypass parameter 93 of the application is set to ON in the DSPsection 27 during the temporary activation. Consequently, there will beoutput an audio signal having not been subjected to the effectprocessing by the plug-in EF 90, and thus, the audio signal processingbased on the application program is prevented from being startedsubstantively.

<Editing of Parameters of Application>

The temporary activation of the application allows the console 1 (systemcontrol apparatus) to accept editing operation of all parameters otherthan the bypass parameter. Once operation is performed on theapplication setting screen of FIG. 8 for selecting an applicationallocated to any one of the rack sections 80 (e.g., operation ofclicking the application display section 82 of the rack section 80), theCPU 10 of the console 1 displays, on the panel display section 17, anediting screen, separately from the application setting screen, forediting parameters of the selected application. Thus, the user can editvarious parameters of the selected application on the editing screen.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart explanatory of a parameter setting changeprocess performed by the CPU 10 of the console 1. This parameter settingchange process is started up when the user has given an instruction forediting (or changing) a setting (value) of a parameter on the editingscreen.

<In the Case of Temporary Activation>

The CPU 10 of the console 1 checks a current value of the dataindicative of the current activation state of the application todetermine, at step S21, whether the application is currently in the“full activation” state. If the data indicative of the currentactivation state of the application indicates that the application iscurrently in the “temporary activation” state (NO determination at stepS21), the CPU 10 of the console 1 further determines whether theparameter to be edited is the bypass parameter. If the parameter to beedited is other than the bypass parameter (NO determination at stepS22), the CPU 10 of the console 1 changes a setting (value) of theparameter, stored in the current buffer area, on the basis of aninstruction input by the user (step S23), but also sets the changedsetting of the parameter into the DSP section 27 of the engine 2 (stepS24). In this manner, the setting of the parameter (other than thebypass parameter) is changed in accordance with the parameter editinginstruction given via the editing screen.

If the parameter to be edited is the bypass parameter (YES determinationat step S22), the CPU 10 of the console 1 terminates the parametersetting change process without accepting a user's instruction forchanging the bypass parameter. Namely, during the temporary activation,the bypass parameter is inhibited from being changed, so that the bypassparameter is kept at the ON setting during the temporary activation.Note that, during the temporary activation, the bypass parameter isinhibited from being changed in response to any parameter editinginstructions, including a bypass parameter editing instruction, so as tokeep the bypass ON state (i.e., bypass activated state) during thetemporary activation. It is only when the full activation of theapplication has been started that the bypass parameter set during thetemporary activation can be changed to the OFF setting.

<In the Case of Full Activation>

If the data indicative of the current activation state of theapplication indicates that the application is currently in the “fullactivation” state (YES determination at step S21), the CPU 10 of theconsole 1 accepts editing operation of all parameters including thebypass parameter. Namely, irrespective of the type of the parameter tobe edited, the CPU 10 of the console 1 changes, at step S23, the settingof the parameter stored in the current buffer area of the memory 11 andsets the changed setting of the parameter into the DSP section 27 of theengine 2. In this manner, the setting of the parameter is changed inresponse to the parameter editing instruction given via the editingscreen.

Because the instant embodiment permits “temporary activation of theapplication” as noted above, it can permit the user to edit varioustypes of parameters (other than the bypass parameter) while preventingunauthorized use of the application program with predeterminedprotection applied such that the actual audio signal processing (effectprocessing) based on the application program may not be started prior todue authentication, with the access key 67, of the application (i.e.,prior to the later-described full activation). Thus, the instantembodiment permits preparatory work, such as operation for settingparameters of the application, even when no USB dongle 70 is connectedto any of the system component apparatus within the mixing system, priorto the full activation of the application, or before the access key ofthe application is acquired (i.e., before the access key issuance ofFIG. 6 is effected); thus, it is possible to achieve an enhancedefficiency of the parameter setting operation of the application.

Further, in the instant embodiment, the bypass parameter is set to andkept at the ON setting in both of the current buffer area of the memory11 and the DSP section 27 during the temporary activation of theapplication. However, because the audio signal processing is notsubstantively started during the temporary activation, the instantembodiment may be constructed such that the bypass parameter is set toand kept at the ON setting only in the DSP section 27 during thetemporary activation.

In the case where the instant embodiment is constructed such that thebypass parameter is set to and kept at the ON setting only in the DSPsection 27 during the temporary activation, the current buffer area ofthe memory 11 may be controlled to accept a change of the bypassparameter but to not reflect the change of the bypass parameter in theDSP section 27, as a modification of the parameter editing process ofFIG. 10. Namely, once editing of a parameter is instructed on theediting screen during the temporary activation of the application, theCPU 10 of the console 1 changes the setting of the to-be-editedparameter on the basis of the instruction input by the user and thendetermines whether or not the to-be-edited parameter is the bypassparameter. If the parameter to be edited is other than the bypassparameter, the CPU 10 of the console 1 sets the changed setting of theparameter into the DSP section 27 of the engine 2. If, on the otherhand, the parameter to be edited is the bypass parameter, the CPU 10 ofthe console 1 keeps, at the ON setting, the bypass parameter stored inthe DSP section 27 of the engine 2.

<Full Activation of Application>

On the application setting screen of FIG. 8, a full activationinstructing virtual switch 85 is a switch image for instructing fullactivation of an application allocated to the corresponding rack section80 (hereinafter referred to as “full activation instructing switch 85”).The full activation instructing switch 85 is a full activationinstructing means or section. Using the full activation instructingswitch 85, the user can instruct full activation of the applicationallocated to the rack section 80.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart explanatory of a full application activationprocess. Once an instruction for fully activating an application, givenusing the full activation instructing switch 85, is accepted, the CPU 10of the console 1 starts up the full application activation process ofFIG. 11 for the application. The component that performs the fullapplication activation process of FIG. 11 is an apparatus havingaccepted the instruction for fully activating an application and is notnecessarily limited to the console 1. Typically, the PC 6 too may becomethe component that performs the full application activation process.Further, an instruction for fully activating an application may be givenin any conventionally-known way without being limited to theaforementioned approach using the full activation instructing switch 85,as long as full activation of the application can be instructed.

Upon acceptance of the instruction for fully activating the application,the CPU 10 of the console 1 ascertains whether the USB dongle 70connected to the USB terminal 13 of the console 1 has recorded thereinthe access key 67 corresponding to the application to be fullyactivated, to thereby authenticate the application with the access key67 (step S25). Namely, if it has been ascertained that the access key 67corresponding to the application to be fully activated is currentlyrecorded in the USB dongle 70 connected to the USB terminal 13 of theconsole 1 (YES determination at step S26), then it means that dueauthentication has been secured for the application to be fullyactivated.

Here, the “access key 67 corresponding to the application” means orrefers to an access key including the name of the application to befully activated. Even if the access key 67 recorded in the USB dongle 70is one issued for another product (i.e., another application package),the application to be fully activated can be authenticated as long asthe access key 67 recorded in the USB dongle 70 contains at least thesame application name as the application to be fully activated (i.e., aslong as the access key 67 recorded in the USB dongle 70 corresponds tothe same type of application as the application to be fully activated).

On the other hand, if the access key 67 corresponding to the applicationto be fully activated is not recorded in the USB dongle 70, or if no USBdongle 70 is connected to the USB terminal 13 of the console 1 (NOdetermination at step S26), the CPU 10 of the console 1 proceeds to stepS27. Note that “if the access key 67 corresponding to the application tobe fully activated is not recorded in the USB dongle 70” refers to asituation where the USB dongle 70 has no access key recorded therein orwhere the access key 67 does not correspond to the application to befully activated.

At step S27, the CPU 10 of the console 1 inquires of all of the othersystem component apparatus, constituting the mixing system it belongsto, whether the other component apparatus have recorded therein theaccess key 67 corresponding to the application to be fully activated,and waits for replies to the inquiry from the other system componentapparatus. Namely, like at step S12, the CPU 10 of the console 1inquires of all of the other system component apparatus of the mixingsystem which include the plurality of mutually AN-connected audio signalprocessing apparatus (i.e., console 1, engine 2 and I/O apparatus 3) andthe non-audio-signal-processing system component (PC 6) CN-connected tothe audio signal processing apparatus.

In response to the inquiry made at step S27 above, each of the othersystem component apparatus, constituting the mixing system the console 1belongs to, ascertains whether the USB dongle connected to its USBterminal has recorded therein the access key 67 corresponding to theapplication to be fully activated. Then, each system component apparatuswhich has detected the access key 67 corresponding to the application tobe fully activated returns a reply to that effect. Note that each systemcomponent apparatus which has no USB dongle connected thereto and eachsystem component apparatus which does not have the access key 67,corresponding to the application to be fully activated, recorded in theUSB dongle connected thereto, do not return a reply to the inquiry.

By receiving the reply from the system component apparatus havingdetected the access key 67 corresponding to the application to be fullyactivated, the CPU 10 of the console 1 can confirm that the access key67 corresponding to the application to be fully activated is recorded inthe USB dongle 70 connected to any one of the apparatus within themixing system it belongs to (i.e., that it could detect a systemcomponent apparatus with the USB dongle 70 connected thereto and havingrecorded therein the access key 67 corresponding to the application tobe fully activated). If the access key 67 corresponding to theapplication to be fully activated is recorded in the USB dongle 70 (YESdetermination at step S28), it means that due authentication with theaccess key 67 has been secured for the to-be-fully-activatedapplication.

In case no reply has been returned from any one of the system componentapparatus within a predetermined time period (NO determination at stepS28), the CPU 10 of the console 1 determines that authentication hasfailed and thus terminates the full application activation process. Forexample, if no USB dongle 70 having recorded therein the access key 67corresponding to the application to be fully activated is connected tothe console 1 or any one of the system component apparatus within thesystem, there is detected no system component apparatus provided withsuch a USB dongle 70 having recorded therein the access key 67corresponding to the application to be fully activated, and thus theauthentication will fail. When the process is terminated due to theauthentication failure, it is preferable that information indicatingthat authentication has failed be displayed on the panel display section17.

At step S29, the CPU 10 of the console 1 inquires all of the otherapparatus, constituting the mixing system, whether or not there is anyengine 2 having installed therein the application program to be fullyactivated. Because the full activation of the application means actuallystarting the audio signal processing (effect processing) based on theapplication, the full activation of the application cannot be effectedif there is no such engine 2, which performs the audio signalprocessing, within the system. Thus, if there is no such engine 2 withinthe system (NO determination at step S30), the CPU 10 of the console 1immediately terminates the full application activation process. Also, ifthere is an engine 2 within the system but the application program(i.e., microprograms for the DSP section) to be fully activated has notbeen installed in the engine 2, then the CPU 10 of the console 1 mayimmediately terminate the full application activation process similarlyto the above. Note that, if the application program to be fullyactivated has not been installed in the engine 2, the full applicationactivation process may be arranged to continue after theto-be-fully-activated application process is installed into the engine2, instead of being immediately terminated. In such a case, however, ifno installer is present in any one of the system components within themixing system, the full application activation process is terminatedbecause no installation is possible.

Further, if the engine 2 having installed therein the applicationprogram to be fully activated has been detected within the mixing system(YES determination at step S30), the CPU 10 of the console 1 goes tostep S31, the access key 67 presence of which has been confirmed at stepS25 or S28 (i.e., original access key 67 recorded in the USB dongle 70)is copied to the memory of each of the system component apparatusconstituting the mixing system.

More specifically, the access key copied to each of the system componentapparatus is recorded into the memory of the system component apparatusin a volatile manner and retained in the memory until the entire mixingsystem or the system component apparatus in question is deactivated(powered off). Namely, when the power supply to the entire mixing system(and hence the power supply to all of the system component apparatus)has been turned off, or when the power supply to any one of theapparatus within the mixing system has been turned off individually, theCPU 10 of the console 1 deletes the copy of the access key recorded inthe one or more powered-off system component apparatus. As long as theaccess key has been authenticated once, effectiveness of theauthentication of the application performed using the access key can becontinued in each of the system component apparatus using the copy ofthe access key, unless the power supply is turned off. Note that thecopied access key that becomes an object of deletion and the originalaccess key that is not to be deleted can be distinguished from eachother on the basis of a difference between data strings constituting thetwo.

By the copy of the access key being recorded in each of the systemcomponent apparatus as noted above, the effectiveness of theauthentication of the application can be continued even when the USBdongle 70 having recorded therein the original access key 67 has becomeno longer present in the mixing system, such as when the USB dongle 70has been inadvertently disconnected. Because leaving the USB dongle 70connected to the USB terminal is not preferable from the viewpoint ofoperation of the mixing system, it is desirable that, once theapplication is authenticated with the original access key, the USBdongle 70 be disconnected from the USB terminal and the authenticationof the application with the original access key be allowed to remaineffective even with the USB dongle 70 disconnected.

Further, by the copy of the access key being recorded in each of thesystem component apparatus as noted above, each of the apparatus canpromptly perform authentication of the application with the access key.Thus, in the system control apparatus, such as the console 1 and PC 6,activation of an editor screen (i.e., activation which requiresauthentication with the access key) can be effected promptly.

The full application activation process has been described as copyingthe access key to all of the system component apparatus at step S31.However, if there is any system component apparatus, among the systemcomponent apparatus constituting the mixing system, in which theapplication to be fully activated (apparatus-specific applicationprogram) has not been installed, the CPU 10 of the console 1 may performan operation for recording a copy of the access key only to systemcomponent apparatus in which the application (apparatus-specificapplication program) has been installed. As another example, the fullapplication activation process may record a copy of the access key intoall of the system component apparatus irrespective of whether or not theapplication (apparatus-specific application program) has been installedin each of the system component apparatus. As still another example, thefull application activation process may record a copy of the access keyinto all of the system component apparatus after causing the applicationto be installed into each system component apparatus where theapplication (apparatus-specific application program) has not yet beeninstalled.

Then, the CPU 10 of the console 1 cancels the invalidation of the audiosignal processing—effected earlier by the ON setting of the bypassparameter—by setting the bypass parameter to OFF for the application tobe fully activated, so that the application to be fully activated isplaced in the fully activated state (step S32). With the operation atstep S32, the CPU 10 of the console 1 functions as a full activationstart control means or section. Namely, the CPU 10 of the console 1rewrites or changes the setting of the bypass parameter of theto-be-fully-activated application, stored in the current buffer area ofthe memory 11, into the OFF setting, but also rewrites or changes thedata indicative of the current activation state of the application from“currently in the temporary activation state” into “currently in thefull activation state”. Then, the CPU 10 of the console 1 reflects thechanged setting of the current buffer area in the DSP section 27 of theengine 2. Thus, in the mixing system, the audio signal processing basedon the to-be-fully-activated application is started. Thus, in theillustrated example, audio signals having been subjected to the effectprocessing will be output from the plug-in EF 90. As a consequence, itis possible to actually use the function of the to-be-fully-activatedapplication in the mixing system.

Namely, according to the full application activation process describedabove in relation to FIG. 11, the CPU 10 of the console 1 functions as adetection section that, at steps S25 and 27, searches through all of thesystem component apparatus, constituting the audio signal processingsystem, to detect any system component apparatus provided with arecording section having recorded therein access key informationcorresponding to an application program to be fully activated. The CPU10 of the console 1 functions as an authentication control section whichauthorizes activation of the application program in each of the systemcomponent apparatus constituting the audio signal processing system ifsuch a system component apparatus provided with a recording sectionhaving recorded therein access key information has been detected by thedetection section at steps S26 and 28, but terminates the fullapplication activation process without authenticating activation of theapplication program if such a system component apparatus has not beendetected by the detection section. Then, when the activation of theapplication program has been authorized at step S32, the CPU 10 of theconsole 1 functions as a signal processing start control section whichcauses an audio signal processing apparatus, having a function ofperforming signal processing on audio signals among the plurality ofsystem component apparatus, to start signal processing based on theapplication program. As noted above, a search is made for the access keythrough not only the apparatus that performs the full applicationactivation process but also all of the other apparatus within the mixingsystem which the activation-process processing apparatus belongs to.Thus, as long as the USB dongle 70 having recorded therein the accesskey 67 for the to-be fully-activated application is connected to any oneof the apparatus within the mixing system (i.e., if the original accesskey 67 is present somewhere within the mixing system), the to-befully-activated application program 65 can be authenticated with theaccess key 67, so that the application program 65 can be fullyactivated, i.e. activation of the application program 65 can beauthorized.

Namely, instead of the authentication, with the access key, of theapplication being performed individually per each of the systemcomponent apparatus constituting the mixing system, one access key 67recorded in the USB dongle 70 is shared among all of the systemcomponent apparatus of the mixing system. Thus, in the embodiment of themixing system composed of a plurality of system component apparatusincluding a plurality of audio signal processing apparatus, theapplication program can be executed (fully activated) with extremelysimple operation and with unauthorized use of the application programappropriately prevented.

Further, because there is set no limitation on the number ofapplications whose full activation is authorized using the access key67, the full activation of the application can be authorizedirrespective of the number of the system component apparatus in themixing system. For example, even in a system configuration where aplurality of system component apparatus of a same type exist (e.g.,system configuration where a plurality of consoles 1 and a plurality ofengines 2 exist as in the illustrated example of FIG. 1), fullactivation of the application can be authorized for all of the systemcomponent apparatus. Further, because the range over which fullactivation of the application is authorized is limited absolutely towithin the mixing system which the system component apparatus that hasconnected thereto the USB dongle 70 having recorded therein the accesskey 67 belongs to, any apparatus outside the mixing system (i.e., anyapparatus belonging to another mixing system different from theabove-mentioned mixing system) is not allowed to access theabove-mentioned mixing system to use the access key 67 with a view tofully activating the application in the other mixing system.

In an alternative, full activation of the application may be started atstep S32 without the access key copy creation operation of step S31being performed, and re-authentication, with the access key 67, of theapplication being activated may be performed. In the case where there-authentication, with the access key 67, of the application isperformed, the system control apparatus (console 1 or PC 6) periodicallyperforms the operations of steps S25 to S28 to periodically ascertainwhether or not the original access key 67 is present within the mixingsystem. If it could be ascertained that the original access key 67 ispresent within the mixing system, the authentication of the applicationis kept effective, while, if it could not be ascertained that theoriginal access key 67 is present within the mixing system, it isdetermined that the re-authentication has failed, and the fullactivation of the application is terminated.

If the application is terminated due to the re-authentication failure,the audio signal processing (effect processing) based on the applicationis terminated. The termination of the full activation of the applicationmay comprise deleting the microprograms of the to-be-terminatedapplication, loaded in the DSP section 27, to thereby disable the audiosignal processing based on the application, or setting the bypassparameter to ON for the to-be-terminated application at least in the DSPsection 27 to thereby invalidate the audio signal processing based onthe application. Note that the re-authentication operation is used onlywhere the operation of step S31 for creating a copy of the access key 67is not performed. Where the operation for creating a copy of the accesskey 67 is performed as in the above-described embodiment, charge-freeuse of the application is ensured after the application isauthenticated, unless the power supply is turned off, and thus, in thiscase, the re-authentication operation is unnecessary.

<Example Preferred Use of the USB Dongle>

Because the instant embodiment is constructed in such a manner that, aslong as a USB dongle 70 having recorded therein an access key 67,corresponding to the application to be fully activated, is connected toany of system component apparatus within a mixing system, fullactivation of the application (i.e., authentication, with the accesskey, of the application) can be performed. Thus, success/failure of thefull activation of the application (i.e., authentication, with theaccess key, of the application) does not depend on the mixing systemusing the application. Therefore, the user is allowed to use anapplication program 65 in a regular manner in a desired mixing system aslong as the user possesses a USB dongle 70 having recorded therein anapplication package (application program 65 and product ID 66) andaccess key 67 corresponding to the application.

Further, even in a mixing system where the application program has notbeen installed, the necessary application (apparatus-specificapplication programs) can be installed from the USB dongle 70 into theindividual system component apparatus within the mixing system. Thus, bythe application program 65 and the corresponding access key 67 beingrecorded in a set in the USB dongle 70, it is possible to simplify aseries of operations (i.e., installation and full activation) for addingthe application to the system.

Further, because success/failure of the full activation of theapplication (i.e., authentication, with the access key, of theapplication) does not depend on the mixing system that uses theapplication, and because the operations (i.e., installation and fullactivation) for adding the application to the mixing system can besimplified, the instant embodiment can advantageously enhance a degreeof freedom of use of the application. For example, in a mixing systeminstalled in a concert venue or a mixing system taken out as rentalequipment, the user may bring a USB dongle 70, having a desiredapplication recorded therein, to an installed location of the mixingsystem and install the application into the system, so that operationsfor installing and fully activating the application program 65, thusbrought by the user, can be performed with ease. In addition, becausethe USB dongle 70 employed in the present invention is of a small sizeand has superior portability, it is suited for applications where theuser brings the USB dongle 70 to the installed location of the mixingsystem and uses the application program 65 in that installed location ofthe system.

The mixing system to which the basic principles of the present inventionare applied can be used, for example, in concert venues, theaters, musicproduction studios, public address systems, vocal guidance systems, etc.Further, the construction (e.g., types of system component apparatus,number of the system component apparatus) of the mixing system to whichthe basic principles of the present invention are applied is not limitedto the example of FIG. 1. Further, as long as the system to which thebasic principles of the present invention are applied is an audio signalprocessing system comprising a plurality of system component apparatusincluding a plurality of audio signal processing apparatus, the systemis not limited to a mixing system and may be an intercommunicationsystem for communicating voices between communication units eachprovided with a microphone and sound system, an effect imparting systemfor imparting effects, such as compressor and distortion, to audiosignals of guitars and vocals, a reverberation support system forpicking up audio signals in a venue via a microphone to thereby generatereverberation supporting audio signals and output the reverberationsupporting audio signals to the interior of the venue, plural-trackrecording/reproducing system for simultaneously recording/reproducing aplurality of audio signals, etc.

The instant embodiment has been described above as having a temporaryactivation function which temporarily activates an application programin a mixing system, comprising a plurality of audio signal processingapparatus, to permit parameter setting operation but prevents signalprocessing on audio signals from being started during temporaryactivation. Such a temporary activation function may also be applied toaudio signal processing apparatus, such as a stand-alone digital audiomixer. In this case, the functions divided among the console (parameterediting section) 1, engine (signal processing section) 2 and I/Oapparatus (audio signal input/output section) 3 in the above-describedmixing system are implemented on the single audio signal processingapparatus, and this audio signal processing apparatus includes: atemporary activation instruction section (selection switch 81) whichaccepts a temporary application activation instruction for temporarilyactivating an application program; a resource allocation section which,when the temporary activation instruction has been accepted by thetemporary activation instruction section, allocates resources necessaryfor signal processing by the signal processing section and foracceptance of parameter change operation via the parameter editingsection so as to achieve a state where parameter change operation forthe application program is acceptable; an invalidation section which,upon acceptance of the temporary application activation instruction,invalidates the signal processing performed by the signal processingsection for the application; a full activation instruction section whichaccepts a full activation instruction for fully activating theapplication; and a full activation start control section which, uponacceptance of the full activation instruction, cancels the invalidationof the signal processing for the application to cause the signalprocessing section to perform the signal processing on audio signals.

In the above-described embodiment, the system component apparatus otherthan the audio signal processing apparatus (namely,non-audio-signal-processing system component apparatus (PC)) isCN-connected to the audio signal processing apparatus (console 1), andno audio signal line is established between the CN-connectednon-audio-signal-processing system component apparatus and audio signalprocessing apparatus so that no audio signal is communicated between thenon-audio-signal-processing system component apparatus and the audiosignal processing apparatus. However, the present invention is not solimited, and audio signal lines may be established between thenon-audio-signal-processing system component apparatus and audio signalprocessing apparatus so that audio signals can be communicated betweenthe CN-connected non-audio-signal-processing system component apparatusand audio signal processing apparatus. For that purpose, thenon-audio-signal-processing system component apparatus and audio signalprocessing apparatus may be AN-connected with each other so as toestablish audio signal lines therebetween. Alternatively, audio signalcommunication may be achieved between the non-audio-signal-processingsystem (PC) and the audio signal processing apparatus in an environmentwhere the non-audio-signal-processing system component apparatus and theaudio signal processing apparatus is CN-connected with each other (viaan ordinary LAN connection), by employing a communication scheme capableof guaranteeing real-time communication, equivalent to audio signalcommunication through an AN connection, and thereby establishing audiosignal lines between the non-audio-signal-processing system componentapparatus and audio signal processing apparatus to permit communicationof audio signals therebetween. In this case, DAW software activated onthe PC 6, which is an example of the system component apparatus otherthan the audio signal processing apparatus, can be handled as a singleaudio signal processing apparatus.

This application is based on, and claims priorities to, JP PA2009-229939 filed on 1 Oct. 2009 and JP PA 2009-229940 filed on 1 Oct.2009. The disclosure of the priority applications, in its entirety,including the drawings, claims, and the specification thereof, isincorporated herein by reference.

1. An activation authorization apparatus for authorizing activation ofan application program in an audio signal processing system comprising aplurality of system component apparatus that include a plurality ofaudio signal processing apparatus, each of the plurality of audio signalprocessing apparatus being adapted to be provided with a recordingsection capable of recording therein access key information forauthorizing the activation of the application program, said activationauthorization apparatus comprising: an activation instruction sectionwhich accepts an activation instruction for activating an applicationprogram; a detection section which searches through all of the systemcomponent apparatus, constituting the audio signal processing system, todetect any system component apparatus provided with the recordingsection having recorded therein the access key information correspondingto the application program; an authorization control section whichauthorizes the activation of the application program in each of thesystem component apparatus when any system component apparatus providedwith the recording section having recorded therein the access keyinformation has been detected by said detection section, but does notauthorize the activation of the application program when any systemcomponent apparatus provided with the recording section having recordedtherein the access key information has not been detected by saiddetection section; and a signal processing start control section which,when the activation of the application program has been authorized bysaid authorization control section, causes the audio signal processingapparatus, having a function for performing signal processing on anaudio signal among the plurality of system component apparatus, to startthe signal processing based on the application program.
 2. Theactivation authorization apparatus as claimed in claim 1, which furthercomprises: an access key information copying section which, when theactivation of the application program has been authorized by saidauthorization control section, records a copy of the access keyinformation recorded in the recording section of the system componentapparatus, detected by said detection section, into the plurality ofsystem component apparatus; and a deletion section which, when a powersupply to an entirety of the audio signal processing system has beenturned off or a power supply to any one of the system componentapparatus has been turned off individually, deletes the copy of theaccess key information recorded in each of the system componentapparatus of which the power supply has been turned off.
 3. An audiosignal processing system comprising a plurality of system componentapparatus, wherein one of said plurality of system component apparatuscomprises: a readout section which reads out an application program tobe installed, stored in said audio signal processing system, theapplication program including a plurality of types of apparatus-specificapplication programs corresponding to types of the plurality of systemcomponent apparatus; a program identification section which searchesthrough all of the plurality of system component apparatus, constitutingthe audio signal processing system, to identify any system componentapparatus requiring installation of the application program and identifythe apparatus-specific application program corresponding to the type ofthe identified system component apparatus; and an installationinstruction section which transmits, to each of the plurality of systemcomponent apparatus identified by said program identification section,the apparatus-specific application program, corresponding to the type ofthe identified system component apparatus, of the application programread out by said readout section and then instructs the identifiedsystem component apparatus to install the transmitted apparatus-specificapplication program.
 4. The audio signal processing system as claimed inclaim 3, wherein any one of said plurality of system component apparatuscomprises: a recording identification section which identifies arecording section from among recording sections in said audio signalprocessing system; and a recording control section which records, intothe recording section identified by said recording identificationsection, the application program and the access key information forauthorizing the activation of the application program in associationwith each other.
 5. A system component apparatus included in an audiosignal processing system including a plurality of system componentapparatuses, said system component apparatus comprising: a readoutsection which reads out an application program to be installed, storedin said audio signal processing system, the application programincluding a plurality of types of apparatus-specific applicationprograms corresponding to types of the plurality of system componentapparatuses; a program identification section which searches through allof the plurality of system component apparatuses, constituting the audiosignal processing system, to identify any system component apparatusrequiring installation of the application program and identify theapparatus-specific application program corresponding to the type of theidentified system component apparatus; and an installation instructionsection which transmits, to each of the plurality of system componentapparatuses identified by said program identification section, theapparatus-specific application program, corresponding to the type of theidentified system component apparatus, of the application program readout by said readout section and then instructs the identified systemcomponent apparatus to install the transmitted apparatus-specificapplication program.